People not inside journalism or media may not know the specifics, but they often have a nebulous sense that there are norms — independence, disclosure of compromise, editorial oversight and vetting of the reporting. That’s what makes them trust enough to buy and read or watch.
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What is much less obvious to them is what it means when there is a reporter who makes her name in a newsroom — traditional paper or fully online outlet — and then leaves for Substack (or any analog). Taking that name, reputation earned from work done in the context I just stated.
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And starting an outlet in which they are both reporter and editor without oversight, and in a subscription model that puts their material under the cloak of darkness. It is the allure of skirting those norms for quicker, dirtier reports, as well as the big money, that draws them.
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Not only are they earning off of the subscription model, many high-profile writers are paid directly by Substack to be exclusive - it’s the influencer model.
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In this way, an investigative reporter who has earned her bona fides in a newsroom and under both strict editorial AND journalistic principles, has just cashed out and turned herself into an opinion writer. She likes it because she’s finally got her independence from an editor.
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AND she’s getting paid. A lot.
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But she’s no longer a journalist. She is, at best, an opinion writer.
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So what? So, the general public sees her name, knows her reporting history, and signs up. Not knowing the difference.
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This is why Substack is incredibly dangerous and damaging to the fourth estate (journalism), one of the few failsafes against anti-democratic maneuvers when at their best. We really can’t afford to lose that right now.
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Please, do not write for or pay for Substack. I have to say it. I believe it’s dangerous. Take heed. You read it here first.
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